Martin, Charles Cromwell

WO 11 Charles Cromwell Martin, DCM, MM (1918 – 1997) became at twenty-four one of the youngest company Sergeant Majors in the history of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. He served in ‘A’ Company 1st Battalion. In the D-Day invasion, June 6th 1944, Charlie Martin was one of the first of 4,123 to hit the beaches of Normandy at Bernieres-sur-mer. Charlie Martin was wounded in April 1945 in Sneek Holland. His war was over.

After a full recovery he returned to Canada and lived very happily with his war bride Vi and sons Rick and Stu. Charlie raised his family in Mississauga and in his civilian capacity worked for The Department of Agriculture. He was a leader and a symbol of those who worked to shape a free and caring society. The passage of time will not forget Charlie Martin, a warrior, a gentleman and citizen soldier who passed away on 13 October 1997. For his service to Canada Charlie Martin was awarded The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM) for Heroism.

2 thoughts on “Martin, Charles Cromwell”

I had a signed copy of Mr. Martins book (perhaps still have, as I’d given it to a nephew of mine) after clearing out my fathers residence (after he passed), and as he was originally a member of the Q.O. I wonder how he obtained this book? My Father had little contact with this part of his past (that I knew of) and spoke only sparingly to me about it…
I can only say that had it not been for a quirk of fate or even the order of battle that the Canadian Army adopted in ww2,it is unlikely that I should be writing this now…
After reading this book i was able to obtain a small glimpse into the world that my father lived through for a brief time in Normandy in 1944.
Truly, it was miraculous that Mr. Martin was able to journey as far as his did through Belgium and into Holland as there were few who managed this feat. In fact my Dad’s best, and childhood friend, which together they’d signed up for the Q.O’s early in the war and decidedly underage, also made it this far only to succumb to his injuries only two weeks before V.E. day.
I can honestly say that this loss to my dad was more of a burden for him to carry through his life than the (six weeks) experience of battle, though many of his injuries were a constant reminder.
I am not here to harp on about my father, rather to give tribute to a valiant participant (Charles) in one of the greatest achievements to the freedom of mankind on this planet, and an incredible author, to be able to elicit so accurately his experiences…